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Eddie Nketiah has signed a new ‘long-term’ contract with Arsenal, and has even been given the club’s most famous shirt numbers for the new season.

The north London club announced the news on Saturday, along with pictures of Nketiah wide-eyed as he received his new Gunners jersey, featuring Thierry Henry’s iconic No.14 – changing from his previous No.30.

The striker has been rewarded with a new deal after a strong end to the 2021/22 season, where he scored five goals in the last seven Premier League games.

The 23-year-old was out of contract at the end of the season and had appeared ready to leave, but Arsenal were keen to give him a new deal.

Without Nketiah, Mikel Arteta was facing the prospect of having little depth up front with Alexandre Lacazette leaving on a free transfer, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang joined Barcelona in January.

“Eddie Nketiah is extending his stay with us after agreeing a new long-term contract,” Arsenal announced.

“Eddie has been with us since he was 14, making 92 first-team appearances and scoring 23 goals since his first-team debut in 2017.”

Arteta, said: “I’m delighted Eddie is staying with us. He represents what we are all about and all the values of the club. We are very happy that he has extended his contract and now we have to get to work and continue to develop the great talent and person that we have in him.”

Gunners legend Martin Keown also praised the club’s work to keep Nketiah, but believes the club will have a top striker lined-up as Arteta gets set for another big-spending summer.

When asked if Nketiah is worth the trouble, Keown told White and Jordan on talkSPORT: “For sure. You have to take players through the ranks. You want them to sign new deals. 

“I’m not sure he’s going to play. In an ideal world, Arsenal will have someone else, an A-line striker, they will bring in.

“Nketiah did really well at the end of last season, but to play every week?

“Arsenal need to strengthen in that area, you could argue that cost them a Champions League position.

“You saw what their near neighbours did in the transfer market at the same time.

“It’s always the challenge at the start of every pre-season. Secure the players you want and protect players and get those players signed up first.

“Arsenal will need to do both, of course.”

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